Single multibranch stent device assembly and method

ABSTRACT

The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an assembly including a single multibranch stent device. The single multibranch stent device includes a main body, a proximal coupling extending radially from the main body, and a distal coupling extending radially from the main body. The main body, the proximal coupling, and the distal coupling are permanently coupled to one another and the single multibranch stent device is a single piece. By forming the single multibranch stent device as a single piece, the single multibranch stent device can be deployed in a single deployment thus simplifying the deployment procedure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of pending U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/502,462, entitled “SINGLE MULTIBRANCH STENT DEVICE ASSEMBLY ANDMETHOD”, filed Jul. 3, 2019, which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD

The present technology is generally related to an intra-vascular deviceand method. More particularly, the present application relates to adevice for treatment of intra-vascular diseases.

BACKGROUND

Aneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers, intramural hematomas and/ortransections may occur in blood vessels, and most typically occur in theaorta and peripheral arteries. The diseased region of the aorta mayextend into areas having vessel bifurcations or segments of the aortafrom which smaller “branch” arteries extend.

The diseased region of the aorta can be bypassed by use of a stent-graftplaced inside the vessel spanning the diseased portion of the aorta, toseal off the diseased portion from further exposure to blood flowingthrough the aorta.

The use of stent-grafts to internally bypass the diseased portion of theaorta is not without challenges. In particular, care must be taken sothat critical branch arteries are not covered or occluded by thestent-graft yet the stent-graft must seal against the aorta wall andprovide a flow conduit for blood to flow past the diseased portion.

SUMMARY

The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an assemblyincluding a single multibranch stent device. The single multibranchstent device includes a main body, a proximal coupling extendingradially from the main body, and a distal coupling extending radiallyfrom the main body. The main body, the proximal coupling, and the distalcoupling are permanently coupled to one another and the singlemultibranch stent device is a single piece. By forming the singlemultibranch stent device as a single piece, the single multibranch stentdevice can be deployed in a single deployment thus simplifying thedeployment procedure.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an assembly comprising asingle multibranch stent device. The single multibranch stent deviceincludes a main body, a proximal coupling extending from the main body,and a distal coupling extending from the main body. The proximalcoupling is configured to perfuse the brachiocephalic artery. The distalcoupling is configured to perfuse an aortic branch vessel distal of thebrachiocephalic artery. The main body, the proximal coupling, and thedistal coupling are a single piece.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method includingdeploying a single multibranch stent device. The deployment includesdeploying a main body within the aorta, perfusing the brachiocephalicartery through a proximal coupling extending radially from the mainbody, and perfusing an aortic branch vessel distal of thebrachiocephalic artery through a distal coupling extending radially fromthe main body. The main body, the proximal coupling, and the distalcoupling are permanently coupled to one another.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosurewill be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a single multibranch stent devicein accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a vessel assembly including thesingle multibranch stent device of FIG. 1 during deployment inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel assembly of FIG. 2 at alater stage during deployment of a first bridging stent graft inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel assembly of FIG. 3 at alater stage during deployment of a second bridging stent graft inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel assembly of FIG. 4 at alater stage during deployment of a proximal extension and a distalextension in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vessel assembly including thesingle multibranch stent device of FIG. 1 during deployment inaccordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel assembly of FIG. 6 at alater stage during deployment of the first bridging stent graft and thesecond bridging stent graft.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a proximal coupling of the singlemultibranch stent device of the vessel assembly of FIG. 5 or the vesselassembly of FIG. 7 misaligned with the brachiocephalic artery inaccordance with one embodiment.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15A, 15B, and 15C are example embodimentsof deployment mechanisms and methods that may be used with any of thestent devices or device assemblies as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a single multibranch stent device100 in accordance with one embodiment. Single multibranch stent device100, sometimes called a prosthesis or aortic arch prosthesis, includes amain body 102, a proximal coupling 104, and a distal coupling 106.Proximal coupling 104 and distal coupling 106 are sometimes calledvolcanoes.

In accordance with this embodiment, main body 102 includes a main bodyproximal opening 108 at a proximal end 110 of main body 102. Main body102 further includes a main body distal opening 112 at a distal end 114of main body 102.

As used herein, the proximal end of a prosthesis such as singlemultibranch stent device 100 is the end closest to the heart via thepath of blood flow whereas the distal end is the end furthest away fromthe heart during deployment. In contrast and of note, the distal end ofthe catheter is usually identified to the end that is farthest from theoperator/handle while the proximal end of the catheter is the endnearest the operator/handle.

For purposes of clarity of discussion, as used herein, the distal end ofthe catheter is the end that is farthest from the operator (the endfurthest from the handle) while the distal end of single multibranchstent device 100 is the end nearest the operator (the end nearest thehandle), i.e., the distal end of the catheter and the proximal end ofsingle multibranch stent device 100 are the ends furthest from thehandle while the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end ofsingle multibranch stent device 100 are the ends nearest the handle.However, those of skill in the art will understand that depending uponthe access location, single multibranch stent device 100 and thedelivery system descriptions may be consistent or opposite in actualusage.

Main body 102 includes graft material 116 and one or morecircumferential stents 118 coupled to graft material 116. Graft material116 may be any suitable graft material, for example and not limited to,woven polyester, DACRON® material, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene,polyurethane, silicone, electro spun materials, or other suitablematerials.

Circumferential stents 118 may be coupled to graft material 116 usingstitching or other means. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,circumferential stents 118 are coupled to an outside surface of graftmaterial 116. However, circumferential stents 118 may alternatively becoupled to an inside surface of graft material 116.

Although shown with a particular number of circumferential stents 118,in light of this disclosure, those of skill in the art will understandthat main body 102 may include a greater or smaller number of stents118, e.g., depending upon the desired length of main body 102 and/or theintended application thereof.

Circumferential stents 118 may be any stent material or configuration.As shown, circumferential stents 118, e.g., self-expanding members, arepreferably made from a shape memory material, such as nickel-titaniumalloy (nitinol), and are formed into a zig-zag configuration. Theconfiguration of circumferential stents 118 is merely exemplary, andcircumferential stents 118 may have any suitable configuration,including but not limiting to a continuous or non-continuous helicalconfiguration. In another embodiment, circumferential stents 118 areballoon expandable stents.

Further, main body 102 includes a longitudinal axis LA1. A lumen 120 isdefined by graft material 116, and generally by main body 102. Lumen 120extends generally parallel to longitudinal axis LA1 and between proximalopening 108 and distal opening 112 of main body 102. Graft material 116is cylindrical having a substantially uniform diameter in thisembodiment. However, in other embodiments, graft material 116 varies indiameter.

Proximal coupling 104 extends radially from main body 102. Proximalcoupling 104 corresponds with an opening in main body 102. Proximalcoupling 104 is generally frustoconically shaped and includes a base 122and a top 124. A circumference of base 122 is greater than acircumference of top 124.

Proximal coupling 104 includes graft material 126 and one or morecircumferential stents 128. Graft material 126 includes any one of thegraft materials as discussed above in relation to graft material 116. Inaddition, circumferential stents 128 are similar to or identical tocircumferential stents 118 as discussed above.

Further, proximal coupling 104 includes a longitudinal axis LA2. A lumen130 is defined by graft material 126, and generally by proximal coupling104. Lumen 130 extends generally parallel to longitudinal axis LA2 andbetween base 122 and top 124 of proximal coupling 104. Lumen 130 ofproximal coupling 104 is in fluid communication with lumen 120 of mainbody 102.

Distal coupling 106 extends radially from main body 102. Distal coupling106 corresponds with an opening in main body 102. Distal coupling 106 isgenerally frustoconically shaped and includes a base 132 and a top 134.A circumference of base 132 is greater than a circumference of top 134.

Distal coupling 106 includes graft material 136 and one or morecircumferential stents 138. Graft material 136 includes any one of thegraft materials as discussed above in relation to graft material 116. Inaddition, circumferential stents 138 are similar to or identical tocircumferential stents 118 as discussed above.

Further, distal coupling 106 includes a longitudinal axis LA3. A lumen140 is defined by graft material 136, and generally by distal coupling106. Lumen 140 extends generally parallel to longitudinal axis LA3 andbetween base 132 and top 134 of distal coupling 106. Lumen 140 of distalcoupling 106 is in fluid communication with lumen 120 of main body 102.

Distal coupling 106 is distal of proximal coupling 104. Moreparticularly, distal coupling 106 is located between distal end 114 ofmain body 102 and proximal coupling 104. Further, proximal coupling islocated between proximal end 110 of main body 102 and distal coupling106.

In one embodiment, a center to center distance D1 between proximalcoupling 104 and distal coupling 106 is set to a predetermined valuedepending upon the particular branch vessels to be perfused throughproximal coupling 104 and distal coupling 106.

In one embodiment, proximal coupling 104 and distal coupling 106 havethe same radial orientation, i.e., are radially aligned, on main body102. For example, in an unbent and straight configuration as illustratedin FIG. 1, longitudinal axis LA2 of proximal coupling 104 is parallel tolongitudinal axis LA3 of distal coupling 106. Further, longitudinal axisLA2 of proximal coupling 104 and longitudinal axis LA3 of distalcoupling 106 extend radially from and perpendicular to longitudinal axisLA1 of main body 102. This allows proximal coupling 104 and distalcoupling 106 to be located on the convex upper surface of the aorticarch when single multibranch stent device 100 is deployed in the aortaas discussed in further detail below. However, in another embodiment,proximal coupling 104 and distal coupling 106 are radially offset, e.g.,depending upon the radial orientation of the branch vessels to beperfused by proximal coupling 104 and distal coupling 106, as discussedfurther below, e.g., in reference to FIGS. 15A, 15B, and/or 15C.

Main body 102, proximal coupling 104 and distal coupling 106 are asingle piece, i.e., are separate pieces permanently coupled together orportions of a single piece. For example, a single piece of graftmaterial is cut and sewn to form single multibranch stent device 100,i.e., graft materials 116, 126, 136 are different portions of a singlepiece of graft material.

Alternatively, graft materials 116, 126, 136 are different materialsthat are sewn together. For example, main body 102 is formed from asingle piece of graft material 116 that is sewn into a tubular shape.Openings are formed in graft material 116 and generally in main body102. Graft materials 126, 136 of proximal and distal couplings 104, 106are then sewn, e.g., with stitching, or otherwise coupled, to graftmaterial 116 of main body 102 at the openings.

In either embodiment, single multibranch stent device 100 is a singlepiece. By forming single multibranch stent device 100 as a single piece,single multibranch stent device 100 can be deployed in a singledeployment. This maximizes simplicity of the deployment procedure ascompared to deployment of a plurality of separate pieces that arecombined together, e.g., using friction from expanded stents, in situ.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a vessel assembly 200 includingsingle multibranch stent device 100 of FIG. 1 during deployment inaccordance with one embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, thethoracic aorta 202 has numerous arterial branches. The arch AA of theaorta 202 has three major branches extending therefrom, all of whichusually arise from the convex upper surface of the arch AA. Thebrachiocephalic artery BCA originates anterior to the trachea. Thebrachiocephalic artery BCA divides into two branches, the rightsubclavian artery RSA (which supplies blood to the right arm) and theright common carotid artery RCC (which supplies blood to the right sideof the head and neck).

The left common carotid artery LCC arises from the arch AA of the aorta202 just to the left of the origin of the brachiocephalic artery BCA.The left common carotid artery LCC supplies blood to the left side ofthe head and neck. The third branch arising from the aortic arch AA, theleft subclavian artery LSA, originates behind and just to the left ofthe origin of the left common carotid artery LCC and supplies blood tothe left arm. The left subclavian artery LSA and the left common carotidartery LCC are distal to the brachiocephalic artery BCA and aresometimes called aortic branch arteries distal of the brachiocephalicartery BCA.

However, a significant proportion of the population has only two greatbranch vessels coming off the aortic arch AA while others have fourgreat branch vessels coming of the aortic arch AA. Accordingly, althougha particular anatomical geometry of the aortic arch AA is illustratedand discussed, in light of this disclosure, those of skill in the artwill understand that the geometry of the aortic arch AA has anatomicalvariations and that the various structures as disclosed herein would bemodified accordingly.

Aneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers, intramural hematomas and/ortransections, generally referred to as a diseased region of the aorta202, may occur in the aorta arch AA and the peripheral arteries BCA,LCC, LSA. For example, thoracic aortic aneurysms include aneurysmspresent in the ascending thoracic aorta, the aortic arch AA, and one ormore of the branch arteries BCA, LCC, LSA that emanate therefrom.Thoracic aortic aneurysms also include aneurysms present in thedescending thoracic aorta and branch arteries that emanate therefrom.Accordingly, the aorta 202 as illustrated in FIG. 2 has a diseasedregion similar to any one of those discussed above which will bebypassed and excluded using single multibranch stent device 100 asdiscussed below.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, single multibranch stent device 100 isdeployed into aorta 202, e.g., via femoral access. For example, todeploy single multibranch stent device 100, a guide wire is introducedvia femoral access, i.e., is inserted into the femoral artery and routedup through the abdominal aorta, and into the thoracic aorta.

A delivery system including single multibranch stent device 100 isintroduced via femoral access and is advanced into the ascending aorta202 over the guidewire. The delivery system is positioned at the desiredlocation such that the position of single multibranch stent device 100is in the ascending aorta near the aortic valve AV. Single multibranchstent device 100 is then deployed from the delivery system, e.g., byremoval of a sheath constraining single multibranch stent device 100. Byforming single multibranch stent device 100 as a single piece, singlemultibranch stent device 100 is deployed in a single operationmaximizing simplicity and minimizing the procedure time.

In accordance with this embodiment, single multibranch stent device 100is deployed such that proximal coupling 104 is aligned with thebrachiocephalic artery BCA and distal coupling 106 is aligned with theleft subclavian artery LSA. Main body 102 is located and fixed withinaorta 202 such that proximal opening 108 is proximal of thebrachiocephalic artery BCA and distal opening 112 is distal of the leftsubclavian artery LSA.

Accordingly, blood flow enters proximal opening 108 of main body 102,flows through lumen 120 of main body 102, and exits distal opening 112of main body 102 and into the aorta 202.

Further, blood flow from lumen 120 of main body 102 flows through lumen130 of proximal coupling 104 and into the brachiocephalic artery BCA.More particularly, blood flows enter into base 122 of proximal coupling104, through lumen 130 of proximal coupling 104, and exits top 124 ofproximal coupling 104 into the brachiocephalic artery BCA.

In addition, blood flow from lumen 120 of main body 102 flows throughlumen 140 of distal coupling 106 and into the left subclavian arteryLSA. More particularly, blood flows enter into base 132 of distalcoupling 106, through lumen 140 of distal coupling 106, and exits top134 of distal coupling 106 into the left subclavian artery LSA.

Upon completion of deployment of single multibranch stent device 100,blood flows through main body 102, proximal coupling 104, and distalcoupling 106 thus perfusing the distal territories. At the same time,single multibranch stent device 100 excludes any overlapped diseasedregions of the aorta 202.

In accordance with this embodiment, single multibranch stent device 100,and more particularly, main body 102, overlaps, excludes and thusoccludes the left common carotid artery LCC. In accordance with thisembodiment, a bypass 204 provides perfusion to the left common carotidartery LCC. Illustratively, bypass 204 provides perfusion of the leftcommon carotid artery LCC from the left subclavian artery LSA.

Bypass 204 is surgically inserted during the same procedure asdeployment of single multibranch stent device 100. However, in anotherembodiment, bypass 204 is surgically inserted prior to deployment ofsingle multibranch stent device 100, e.g., to simplify the procedure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of vessel assembly 200 of FIG. 2 at alater stage during deployment of a first bridging stent graft 302,sometimes called a bridging stent or proximal bridging stent graft 302,in accordance with one embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 3, bridgingstent graft 302 is located within proximal coupling 104 and thebrachiocephalic artery BCA. More particularly, bridging stent graft 302self-expands (or is balloon expanded) to be anchored within proximalcoupling 104 and the brachiocephalic artery BCA.

Bridging stent graft 302 includes graft material 304 and one or morecircumferential stents 306. Graft material 304 includes any one of thegraft materials as discussed above in relation to graft material 116. Inaddition, circumferential stents 306 are similar to or identical tocircumferential stents 118 as discussed above.

Upon deployment of bridging stent graft 302, blood flow into proximalcoupling 104 is bridged and passed into the brachiocephalic artery BCAthrough bridging stent graft 302.

In one embodiment, bridging stent graft 302 is deployed via femoralaccess. For example, to deploy bridging stent graft 302, a guide wire isintroduced via femoral access, i.e., is inserted into the femoral arteryand routed up and into distal opening 112 of main body 102. Theguidewire is then routed through proximal coupling 104 and into thebrachiocephalic artery BCA.

A delivery system including bridging stent graft 302 is introduced viafemoral access and is advanced into proximal coupling 104 and thebrachiocephalic artery BCA over the guidewire. Bridging stent graft 302is then deployed from the delivery system, e.g., by removal of a sheathconstraining bridging stent graft 302.

In another embodiment, bridging stent graft 302 is deployed via supraaortic access. For example, to deploy bridging stent graft 302, a guidewire is introduced through the right subclavian artery RSA, and advancedinto main body 102 through proximal coupling 104.

A delivery system including bridging stent graft 302 is introduced viasupra aortic access and is advanced into the brachiocephalic artery BCAand proximal coupling 104 over the guidewire. Bridging stent graft 302is then deployed from the delivery system, e.g., by removal of a sheathconstraining bridging stent graft 302.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of vessel assembly 200 of FIG. 3 at alater stage during deployment of a second bridging stent graft 402,sometimes called a bridging stent or distal bridging stent graft 402, inaccordance with one embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 4, bridging stentgraft 402 is deployed within distal coupling 106 and the left subclavianartery LSA. More particularly, bridging stent graft 402 self-expands (oris balloon expanded) to be anchored within distal coupling 106 and theleft subclavian artery LSA.

Bridging stent graft 402 includes graft material 404 and one or morecircumferential stents 406. Graft material 404 includes any one of thegraft materials as discussed above in relation to graft material 116. Inaddition, circumferential stents 406 are similar to or identical tocircumferential stents 118 as discussed above.

Upon deployment of bridging stent graft 402, blood flow into distalcoupling 106 is bridged and passed into the left subclavian artery LSAthrough bridging stent graft 402.

In one embodiment, bridging stent graft 402 is deployed via femoralaccess. For example, to deploy bridging stent graft 402, a guide wire isintroduced via femoral access, i.e., is inserted into the femoral arteryand routed up and into distal opening 112 of main body 102. Theguidewire is then routed through distal coupling 106 and into the leftsubclavian artery LSA.

A delivery system including bridging stent graft 402 is introduced viafemoral access and is advanced into distal coupling 106 and the leftsubclavian artery LSA over the guidewire. Bridging stent graft 402 isthen deployed from the delivery system, e.g., by removal of a sheathconstraining bridging stent graft 402.

In another embodiment, bridging stent graft 402 is deployed via supraaortic access. For example, to deploy bridging stent graft 402, a guidewire is introduced through the left subclavian artery LSA, and advancedinto main body 102 through distal coupling 106.

A delivery system including bridging stent graft 402 is introduced viasupra aortic access and is advanced into the left subclavian artery LSAand distal coupling 106 over the guidewire. Bridging stent graft 402 isthen deployed from the delivery system, e.g., by removal of a sheathconstraining bridging stent graft 402.

Although deployment of bridging stent graft 302 is described above asoccurring before deployment of bridging stent graft 402, in otherembodiments, bridging stent graft 402 is deployed prior to deployment ofbridging stent graft 302.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of vessel assembly 200 of FIG. 4 at alater stage during deployment of a proximal extension 502 and a distalextension 504 in accordance with one embodiment. Referring now to FIG.5, optionally, proximal extension 502, sometime called a proximal cuff502 or tubular structure, is coupled to main body 102 and extendproximately therefrom. For example, proximal cuff 502 is deployed in theevent that proximal end 110 of main body 102 is deployed distally fromthe aortic valve AV to extend between the desired deployment locationand proximal end 110 of main body 102. Proximal extension 502 isoptional and in one embodiment is not deployed or used.

Proximal extension 502 includes graft material 506 and one or morecircumferential stents 508. Graft material 506 includes any one of thegraft materials as discussed above in relation to graft material 116. Inaddition, circumferential stents 508 are similar to or identical tocircumferential stents 118 as discussed above.

In addition, and optionally, distal extension 504 is coupled to mainbody 102 and extend distally therefrom. For example, distal extension504 is added using a thoracic device and can take any one of a number offorms depending upon the condition being treated. Distal extension 504is optional and in one embodiment is not deployed or used.

Distal extension 504 includes graft material 510 and one or morecircumferential stents 512. Graft material 510 includes any one of thegraft materials as discussed above in relation to graft material 116. Inaddition, circumferential stents 512 are similar to or identical tocircumferential stents 118 as discussed above.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vessel assembly 600 includingsingle multibranch stent device 100 of FIG. 1 during deployment inaccordance with another embodiment. Vessel assembly 600 of FIG. 6 issimilar to vessel assembly 200 of FIG. 2 and only the significantdifferences are discussed below.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6 together, in accordance with thisembodiment, single multibranch stent device 100 is deployed such thatproximal coupling 104 is aligned with the brachiocephalic artery BCA anddistal coupling 106 is aligned with the left common carotid artery LCC.Illustratively distance D1 between proximal coupling 104 and distalcoupling 106 in the embodiment of FIG. 6 is less than distance D1 inembodiment of FIG. 2. Main body 102 is located and fixed within aorta202 such that proximal opening 108 is proximal of the brachiocephalicartery BCA and distal opening 112 is distal of the left subclavianartery LSA.

Accordingly, blood flow from lumen 120 of main body 102 flows throughlumen 140 of distal coupling 106 and into the left common carotid arteryLCC. More particularly, blood flows enter into base 132 of distalcoupling 106, through lumen 140 of distal coupling 106, and exits top134 of distal coupling 106 into the left common carotid artery LCC.

In accordance with this embodiment, single multibranch stent device 100,and more particularly, main body 102, overlaps, excludes and thusoccludes the left subclavian artery LSA. In accordance with thisembodiment, bypass 204 provides perfusion to the left subclavian arteryLSA. Illustratively, bypass 204 provides perfusion of the leftsubclavian artery LSA from the left common carotid artery LCC.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of vessel assembly 600 of FIG. 6 at alater stage during deployment of first bridging stent graft 302 andsecond bridging stent graft 402. Deployment of first bridging stentgraft 302 in the view of FIG. 6 is similar or identical to deployment offirst bridging stent graft 302 in the view of FIG. 3 as discussed aboveand so the description is not repeated for simplicity.

In accordance with this embodiment, bridging stent graft 402 is deployedwithin distal coupling 106 and the left common carotid artery LCC. Moreparticularly, bridging stent graft 402 self-expands (or is balloonexpanded) to be anchored within distal coupling 106 and the left commoncarotid artery LCC.

Upon deployment of bridging stent graft 402, blood flow into distalcoupling 106 is bridged and passed into the left common carotid arteryLCC through bridging stent graft 402.

In one embodiment, bridging stent graft 402 is deployed via femoralaccess. For example, to deploy bridging stent graft 402, a guide wire isintroduced via femoral access, i.e., is inserted into the femoral arteryand routed up and into distal opening 112 of main body 102. Theguidewire is then routed through distal coupling 106 and into the leftcommon carotid artery LCC.

A delivery system including bridging stent graft 402 is introduced viafemoral access and is advanced into distal coupling 106 and the leftcommon carotid artery LCC over the guidewire. Bridging stent graft 402is then deployed from the delivery system, e.g., by removal of a sheathconstraining bridging stent graft 402.

In another embodiment, bridging stent graft 402 is deployed via supraaortic access. For example, to deploy bridging stent graft 402, a guidewire is introduced through the left common carotid artery LCC, andadvanced into main body 102 through distal coupling 106.

A delivery system including bridging stent graft 402 is introduced viasupra aortic access and is advanced into the left common carotid arteryLCC and distal coupling 106 over the guidewire. Bridging stent graft 402is then deployed from the delivery system, e.g., by removal of a sheathconstraining bridging stent graft 402.

Optionally, proximal extension 502 and/or distal extension 504 arecoupled to main body 102 as described above.

In the embodiments described above, proximal coupling 104 is alignedwith the brachiocephalic artery BCA and distal coupling 106 is alignedwith either the left subclavian artery LSA (FIG. 5) or the left commoncarotid artery LCC (FIG. 7). As used herein, a coupling is aligned witha respective artery when the longitudinal axis, e.g., longitudinal axisLA2 or LA3, are parallel to and point into the respective artery. Inother words, a coupling is aligned with a respective artery when thecoupling is located within the ostia of the respective artery.

However, in certain instances, a coupling is offset, sometimes calledmisplaced or misaligned, with the respective artery, e.g., due tophysician deployment inaccuracy. In these instances, the coupling pointsinto the wall of aorta 202 and there is a longitudinal distance betweenthe coupling and the respective artery.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of proximal coupling 104 of singlemultibranch stent device 100 of vessel assembly 200 of FIG. 5 or vesselassembly 600 of FIG. 7 misaligned with the brachiocephalic artery BCA inaccordance with one embodiment. In accordance with this embodiment,proximal coupling 104 is offset from the brachiocephalic artery BCA.Illustratively, proximal coupling 104 is located proximally to thebrachiocephalic artery BCA, i.e., the ostium thereof, although inanother embodiment, proximal coupling 104 is located distally to thebrachiocephalic artery BCA. In either embodiment, proximal coupling 104points into the wall 802 of aorta 202.

In accordance with this embodiment, bridging stent graft 302 bridges thedisplacement between proximal coupling 104 and the brachiocephalicartery BCA. In other words, a proximal end 804 of bridging stent graft302 is coupled to proximal coupling 104 and a distal end 806 of bridgingstent graft 302 is coupled to the brachiocephalic artery BCA. A mainbody 808 of bridging stent graft 302 extends between, e.g., parallel to,main body 102 of single multibranch stent device 100 and wall 802 ofaorta 202.

To avoid collapse of bridging stent graft 302 between main body 102 andwall 802, bridging stent graft 302 is configured to exert a higherradial force than the radial force of main body 102. As used herein,“radial force” includes both a radial force exerted duringexpansion/deployment as well as a chronic radial force continuouslyexerted after implantation such that a scaffold has a predeterminedcompliance or resistance as the surrounding native anatomy, e.g., aorta202, expands and contracts during the cardiac cycle. The radial force ofmain body 102 is configured to be lower than that of bridging stentgraft 302 to avoid collapse of bridging stent graft 302 when main body102 is deployed against and adjacent thereof and thus maintainsperfusion of the brachiocephalic artery BCA as discussed above. If thereis any collapse, the collapse is a partial collapse in main body 102 bybridging stent graft 302.

To configure bridging stent graft 302 and main body 102 with differingrelative radial forces, circumferential stents 306 of bridging stentgraft 302 are constructed with relatively thicker and/or shortersegments of material than circumferential stents 118 of main body 102.Shorter and/or thicker circumferential stents 306 have less flexibilitybut greater radial force to ensure that circumferential stents 118 ofmain body 102 do not collapse the lumen of bridging stent graft 302.Other variations or modification of circumferential stents 306, 118 maybe used to achieve relative radial forces in other embodiments.

Although displacement of proximal coupling 104 and the brachiocephalicartery BCA is discussed above, the discussion is equally applicable todisplacement of distal coupling 106 and either the left subclavianartery LSA (FIG. 5) or the left common carotid artery LCC (FIG. 7). Inthe event that distal coupling 106 is displaced, either proximally ordistally, with either the left subclavian artery LSA (FIG. 5) or theleft common carotid artery LCC (FIG. 7), bridging stent graft 402bridges the displacement. Bridging stent graft 402 is configured toexert a higher radial force than the radial force of main body 102 toavoid collapse in a manner similar to that discussed above regardingbridging stent graft 302. Generally, in FIG. 8, proximal coupling 104 isalso representative of distal coupling 106, the brachiocephalic arteryBCA is also representative of either the left subclavian artery LSA(FIG. 5) or the left common carotid artery LCC (FIG. 7), and bridgingstent graft 302 is also representative of bridging stent graft 402.

In one embodiment, both proximal coupling 104 and distal coupling 106are offset from their respective arteries BCA and LSA/LCC. In otherembodiments, only proximal coupling 104 or distal coupling 106 areoffset from their respective arteries BCA and LSA/LCC. In yet anotherembodiment, proximal coupling 104 and distal coupling 106 are bothaligned with their respective arteries BCA and LSA/LCC.

With reference to FIGS. 9 to 14, example embodiments are shown ofdeployment mechanisms and methods that may be used with any of the stentdevices or device assemblies disclosed herein (e.g., as shown in FIGS.1-8). In one embodiment, there may be a primary or main guidewire (GW1)and an additional guidewire for each coupling/volcano/MEC on the stentdevice. For example, if the stent device has two couplings, threeguidewires may be used—the primary guidewire (GW1), a second guidewire(GW2), and a third guidewire (GW3). The guidewires that are associatedwith the couplings may be “through and through” guidewires, in that theyenter the body at one location and exit the body at another location.For example, in the embodiment shown, guidewire GW2 may extend from afemoral access site (or other site in the leg), through the aorta, intothe artery BCA, and exit from the patient's right arm, torso, or neck(or vice versa). Similarly, guidewire GW3 may extend from a femoralaccess site (or other site in the leg), through the aorta, into theartery LSA, and exit from the patient's left arm or torso (or viceversa). Of course, the guidewires may extend through any combination ofthe great vessels in the arch and the naming conventions are merely forease of illustration. The primary guidewire GW1 may be a standardguidewire that extends into the ascending aorta and is used to guide thetapered tip 902 of the stent device.

With particular reference to FIG. 9, an example is shown of a devicebeing deployed that has two couplings that are pre-wired with guidewiresGW2 and GW3. As described above, guidewire GW1 may be a standardguidewire used to guide the device to the target location in the aorta.In the embodiment shown, guidewire GW2 is pre-wired through a couplingconfigured to be deployed in, at, or near the artery BCA ostium andguidewire GW3 is pre-wired through a coupling configured to be deployedin, at, or near the artery LSA ostium. As described above, guidewiresGW2 and GW3 may be through and through guidewires that are insertedprior to device deployment. The catheter including the stent device maybe loaded onto all three guidewires (described in more detail, below,with reference to FIGS. 13-14) and inserted into the patient at thefemoral access site. The catheter may be navigated to the aortic arch,as shown in FIG. 9, for deployment of the stent device to begin.

As shown in FIG. 9, guidewires GW2 and GW3 may exit the catheter at oradjacent to a proximal end of the tapered tip 902. Guidewires GW2 andGW3 extend between the constraining sheath 904 and an outer surface ofthe stent device until they reach their corresponding coupling. Asillustrated, there is a radiopaque marker 906 and a guidewire exit area908 for guidewires GW2 and GW3. When the guidewires reach theircoupling, they extend through the coupling and into the interior of thestent device. The guidewires then extend through the interior of thestent device and out through the catheter to the femoral access site. Inthe example shown, guidewire GW2 extends through the coupling intendedfor the artery BCA and guidewire GW3 extends through the couplingintended for the artery LSA. However, there may be couplings intendedfor any combination of the three great vessels, and guidewires mayextend through any or all of them in other embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 10, the stent device may begin deployment byretracting the constraining sheath 904 to begin to expose the first rowsof stent rings. In the example shown, the delivery system includes a tipcapture mechanism 1010 to retain the first row of stent rings in aconstrained state until some or all of the stent device has beendeployed. As the constraining sheath is retracted, portions of theguidewires GW2 and GW3 that were trapped between the sheath and thestent device are freed.

With reference to FIG. 11, as the constraining sheath 904 continues tobe retracted, the first coupling 104 is released. Due to the pre-wiringof guidewire GW2 through the coupling 104 and the artery BCA, thecoupling 104 is deployed within the artery BCA ostium, or very near toit, and is already cannulated by the guidewire GW2. If the coupling 104is not completely aligned with the artery BCA ostium, the physician(s)may use the through and through guidewire GW2 to manipulate the coupling104 by applying tension to the guidewire GW2 and applying force to oneor both exposed/exterior portions of the guidewire GW2 to adjust thecoupling 104 to a more well-aligned position. This may be done at thecurrent stage or when more or all of the stent device has been deployed.

With reference to FIG. 12, the constraining sheath 904 is furtherretracted such that the second coupling 106 is released. Similar to thefirst coupling 104, the pre-wiring of guidewire GW3 causes the secondcoupling 106 to be deployed within the artery LSA ostium, or very nearto it, and already cannulated by the guidewire GW3. As with the firstcoupling 104, the physician(s) may manipulate the second coupling 106using the guidewire GW3 to improve the alignment of the coupling 106with the artery LSA. Once the second coupling 106 has been released, thephysician may continue to retract the constraining sheath 904 until theentire stent device is deployed. Once the device has been positioned tothe physician's liking, the tip capture mechanism 1010 may be activatedto release the proximal stents to anchor the stent device in place.

Following deployment of the stent device, bridging stent grafts may bedeployed within the couplings 104, 106, as shown in FIGS. 3-8.Deployment of the bridging stent grafts may be made significantly easierand more accurate due to the pre-wired couplings. As shown in FIG. 12,both couplings 104, 106 are already cannulated by the guidewires GW2 andGW3, therefore, the bridging stent grafts may be easily navigated to thecouplings 104, 106 and deployed therein. Unlike with a non-pre-wireddeployment, there is no risk that the physician will not be able tolocate the opening in the coupling. This is especially significant ifthe coupling is not located within or near the ostium. This may occur,for example, if the dimensions or orientation of the couplings do notclosely match the anatomy of the patient. In this case, while the firstcoupling may be well-aligned with the first ostium (e.g., artery BCA),the second coupling may be located axially proximal or distal to thetarget ostium and/or it may be rotated circumferentially relative to thetarget ostium. In this situation, it may be very difficult for thephysician to access the opening in the coupling using conventionalmethods. However, when the couplings are pre-wired with the guidewire,the physician merely has to advance the bridging stent graft over theguidewire and it will automatically find the coupling opening by virtueof the pre-wiring.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, example embodiments are shown of thedistal end of the delivery catheter. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13,the tapered tip 902 may include a lumen 1302 that extends to the distaltip and which is configured to receive the main/primary guidewire GW1.There may be separate lumens for the through and through guidewires GW2and GW3, which may be more proximal than the lumen for GW1. In thisexample, the lumens may be formed at the base or proximal end of thetapered tip. There may be a second lumen 1304 configured to receiveguidewire GW2 and a third lumen 1306 configured to receive guidewireGW3. The lumens 1304, 1306 may allow the guidewires GW2, GW3 to passthrough the tip 902 and to travel between the constraining sheath 904and the stent device until they reach their associated coupling, atwhich point they extend through the coupling and into the interior ofthe device.

With reference to FIG. 14, in one embodiment, the lumens 1304, 1306configured to receive guidewires GW2 and GW3 may be formed as grooves inthe base of the tapered tip 902. Accordingly, when the constrainingsheath 904 is retracted, the guidewires GW2, GW3 may be freed from thetapered tip 902. This may allow the guidewires GW2, GW3 to becomealigned in their target vessel and allow the couplings to extend intothe target vessel once the sheath is retracted a sufficient length torelease them (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 10-12). The grooves 1304, 1306 maybe disposed circumferentially spaced about the tapered tip 902 in anyconfiguration. In one example, the two grooves 1304, 1306 may bedirectly adjacent to each other, such as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.However, in other embodiments, they may be spaced farther apart, such ason opposite sides of the tip (e.g., 180 degree spacing). In otherembodiments, there may be more than two lumens/grooves than there areguidewires. For example, if there are two through and throughguidewires, there may be three, four, or more lumens or grooves. In suchembodiments, the lumens/grooves may be located directly adjacent to eachother or may be spaced apart (e.g., evenly circumferentially spaced).This may give the physician options for which lumen to select for eachguidewire and/or provide redundancy. While one example configuration isshown where the lumens are formed as grooves, other configurations mayalso allow the guidewires to become freed as the sheath is retracted. Inthe example shown in FIG. 14, there may be a guide lumen 1420 providedfor each guidewire. The guide lumen 1420 may be a separate tube orconduit that is configured to receive the guidewire and guide it throughthe catheter and into the stent device. The guide lumen 1420 may protectthe device during guidewire insertion and may provide a lubricioussurface to allow the catheter to be loaded onto the guidewire, amongother functions.

In at least one embodiment, the axial region of the stent device betweentwo couplings may be more circumferentially flexible (e.g., easier torotate) than regions axially outside of the couplings. As shown in FIGS.1-7 and 12, the stent device may have one or more stent rings disposedaxially between the two couplings. In one embodiment, there may beexactly one stent ring between the two couplings. In another embodiment,there may be exactly two stent rings between the two couplings. Inanother embodiment, however, there may be zero stent rings between thetwo couplings, e.g., the stent device may include only graft materialbetween the two couplings. Having few or no stent rings between the twocouplings may increase the circumferential flexibility of the stentdevice, which may allow it to be rotated during deployment to betteralign the couplings with the great vessels (e.g., by applying force tothe guidewires, as disclosed above, or by rotating the catheter to applytorque, or other techniques, or a combination thereof).

In another embodiment, which may be in combination with the above orindependent, the graft material itself may provide increased flexibilityin the region between the couplings. In one example, the orientation ofthe graft material fibers may be different in the region between thecouplings compared to other regions or the remainder of the graft. Inone embodiment, graft material in the region between the couplings mayhave fiber orientations that are oblique to the longitudinal axis of thestent device, e.g., not parallel or perpendicular. For example, thefibers may be oriented from 30 to 60 degrees in either direction fromparallel. In one embodiment, the fibers may be oriented at 45 degrees ineither direction from parallel (e.g., ±45 degrees). The other regions ofthe graft may have fibers that are oriented parallel and perpendicularto the longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the fibers may be woven ina plain weave pattern.

With reference to FIGS. 15A-15C, example top plan views of several stentdevices are shown. The couplings 104, 106 in these examples are shown asmobile external couplings (MECs). Due to shape and material, the MECsallows for significant flexibility in aligning the stent-graft with abranch vessel because the top of the MECs when deployed can movelongitudinally relative to the longitudinal axis of the main body 102.In particular, the MECs includes an unsupported portion of graftmaterial extending below the support wireform to the base. Statedanother way, the MECs are unsupported between the crowns and mainstent-graft. The unsupported portion of the graft material does not haveany inherent ability to urge the top of the MECs into the ostium of atarget branch vessel. However, the support wireform imparts structuralintegrity to the top of the MECs to properly orient the distal end ofMECs towards the ostium and to further prevent the MECs from collapsingor everting into the main body 102 when released from a sleeve of thedelivery system during delivery and deployment at the target site.Accordingly, if the stent device is not perfectly aligned with a branchvessel, the MECs can move or shift to cause the top to align with and/orextend into the branch vessel. The mobility of MECs thus reduces therequirement of precise targeting of the ostium while still allowing forperfusion of the branch vessel. See a discussion of MECs in Bruszewskiet al., U.S. Pat. No. 9,839,542, issued Dec. 12, 2017, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

Each MEC may have an outer periphery and a more central opening, withgraft material in between. The graft material between the opening andthe outer periphery may allow the opening to move within the plane ofthe opening (e.g., an X-Y plane) and/or in the axis of the opening(e.g., Z plane). In each figure, the dashed line represents a centerline at a top/cranial portion of the device. If the cross-section of thedevice were to be represented as a clock, it would represent the 12o'clock position.

In the example of FIG. 15A, both couplings 104, 106 are shown on thecenter line. However, one or both of the couplings 104, 106 may becircumferentially rotated away from the center line, or “clocked” fromthe center line. In one embodiment, either or both couplings 104, 106may be clocked from the centerline by up to 30 degrees, such as 5 to 25degrees, 5 to 20 degrees, or 5 to 15 degrees. In the example shown inFIG. 15B, the couplings 104, 106 are clocked in opposite directions,however, both may be clocked in the same direction. With reference toFIG. 15C, the two couplings 104, 106 may be clocked relative to eachother and also axially overlapping. The axial overlap may includeoverlapping of the outer periphery of the MECs and does not necessarilyrequire that the openings axially overlap. The mobility of the MECs inthe lateral vertical direction combined with the pre-wiring of thecouplings and the target vessels may allow for the condensed axiallyoverlapping configuration of FIG. 15C. Without one or both of thosefeatures, finding and deploying a bridging stent graft into such closetogether couplings may be very difficult or impossible. However, such atight axial distance is not unusual for the ostia of the great vesselsin many patient anatomies. Therefore, the features disclosed herein mayallow for a stent device with closer couplings that would otherwise bevery difficult or impossible to deploy.

While embodiments shown herein include two couplings, different numbersof couplings are also contemplated, such as a single coupling or threecouplings. For an embodiment with three couplings, guidewires may bepre-wired for the arteries BCA and the LSA couplings (e.g., as describedabove) and the third coupling may be cannulated via traditional methods.Alternatively, a third through and through guidewire (e.g., guidewireGW4) may be deployed in the artery LCC and the corresponding couplingmay be deployed in the same manner as above. For example, the guidewireGW4 could extend from femoral access (or other leg site), through theaorta, into the artery LCC, and exit through the patient's neck. Inembodiments where there are three couplings, the axial region of thestent device between the first and third coupling (e.g., arteries BCAand LSA) may be more circumferentially flexible than the other axialregions, similar to described above for two-coupling embodiments.Alternatively, either the axial region between the first and second orthe second and third coupling may be more circumferentially flexiblethan the other regions. In addition, while the above examples have beendescribed with reference to an aortic stent device and deployingbridging stent grafts into the great vessels off the aortic arch, thedisclosed devices, systems, and methods can be applied to othercatheter-based stent-graft procedures. The pre-wired coupling conceptmay be applied in any situation or procedure in which a through andthrough guidewire can be introduced.

This application is related to commonly assigned U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/502,462, filed Jul. 3, 2019, entitled “SINGLE MULTIBRANCHSTENT DEVICE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD”, of Perkins et al., which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

It should be understood that various aspects disclosed herein may becombined in different combinations than the combinations specificallypresented in the description and accompanying drawings. It should alsobe understood that, depending on the example, certain acts or events ofany of the processes or methods described herein may be performed in adifferent sequence, may be added, merged, or left out altogether (e.g.,all described acts or events may not be necessary to carry out thetechniques). In addition, while certain aspects of this disclosure aredescribed as being performed by a single module or unit for purposes ofclarity, it should be understood that the techniques of this disclosuremay be performed by a combination of units or modules associated with,for example, a medical device.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: prewiring a first guidewirewithin a proximal coupling of a single multibranch stent device;prewiring a second guidewire within a distal coupling of the singlemultibranch stent device; subsequent to the prewiring the firstguidewire and the prewiring the second guidewire, deploying the singlemultibranch stent device comprising: deploying a main body within theaorta; perfusing the brachiocephalic artery through the proximalcoupling extending radially from the main body; and perfusing an aorticbranch vessel distal of the brachiocephalic artery through the distalcoupling extending radially from the main body, wherein the main body,the proximal coupling, and the distal coupling are permanently coupledto one another.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: deploying aproximal bridging stent graft within the proximal coupling and thebrachiocephalic artery.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the proximalbridging stent graft is located between the main body and a wall of theaorta, wherein the proximal bridging stent graft partially collapses themain body.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising: deploying adistal bridging stent graft within the distal coupling and the aorticbranch vessel, wherein the distal bridging stent graft is locatedbetween the main body and a wall of the aorta, wherein the distalbridging stent graft partially collapses the main body.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the aortic branch vessel is the left common carotidartery.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the aortic branch vessel is theleft subclavian artery.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the main bodycomprises a first longitudinal axis, the proximal coupling comprises asecond longitudinal axis extending radially from the first longitudinalaxis, and the distal coupling comprises a third longitudinal axisextending radially from the first longitudinal axis.
 8. The method ofclaim 7 wherein the second longitudinal axis is parallel to the thirdlongitudinal axis.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the secondlongitudinal axis is radially offset from the third longitudinal axis.10. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling a proximal cuff tothe main body, the proximal cuff extending proximally from the mainbody.
 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling a distalcuff to the main body, the distal cuff extending distally from the mainbody.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the deploying the singlemultibranch stent device further comprises: extending the firstguidewire in the brachiocephalic artery.
 13. The method of claim 12wherein the deploying the single multibranch stent device furthercomprises: extending the second guidewire in the aortic branch vessel.14. The method of claim 13 further comprising retracting a constrainingsheath to free the first guidewire and the second guidewire from theconstraining sheath.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the constrainingsheath is further retracted until the proximal coupling is released. 16.The method of claim 15 wherein upon being released, the proximalcoupling is misaligned with the brachiocephalic artery, the methodfurther comprising using the first guidewire to align the proximalcoupling with the brachiocephalic artery.
 17. The method of claim 15wherein the constraining sheath is further retracted until the distalcoupling is released.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein upon beingreleased, the distal coupling is misaligned with the aortic branchvessel, the method further comprising using the second guidewire toalign the distal coupling with the aortic branch vessel.
 19. The methodof claim 1 wherein the proximal coupling and the distal coupling areclocked from a center line at a top portion of the main body.
 20. Themethod of claim 19 wherein the proximal coupling and the distal couplingaxially overlap.
 21. The method of claim 1 further comprising prewiringa third guidewire within another coupling of the single multibranchstent device.
 22. The method of claim 1 wherein the single multibranchstent device is more circumferentially flexible in an axial regionbetween the proximal coupling and the distal coupling than in regionsaxially outside of the proximal coupling and the distal coupling. 23.The method of claim 22 further comprising rotating the axial regionbetween the proximal coupling and the distal coupling.
 24. The method ofclaim 23 wherein the rotating comprises applying force to at least oneof the first guidewire and the second guidewire.
 25. The method of claim23 wherein the rotating comprises applying torque to a catheter.